UTSA responds to challenging economic times

A Message from the President

February 13, 2009

Dear UTSA colleagues,

As we face a period of heightened economic uncertainty and hardships, it is crucial that UTSA is both responsive and strategic in its approaches during these challenging times. Therefore, I'd like to share with you some of the initiatives we have implemented.

I have asked UTSA administrators to identify opportunities to reduce administrative costs wherever feasible. Business practices are being reviewed for efficiency while existing technology and resources are being leveraged to control costs. In addition, we will review our existing conservation and recycling programs to ensure and continue valuable savings to the university.

Article tools

Our most pressing task at this time, however, is to position the university to address immediate problems created by the recession and credit crisis. As part of a systemwide initiative, we will carefully review requests to add additional headcount (new positions) at UTSA. This flexible hiring freeze is effective immediately and I anticipate it will remain through August 2010.

We will continue to identify other strategies to best prepare our university to respond to any further weakening of the economy which includes working with UT System and state leaders. Additionally, I want to collaborate with you (students, faculty and staff) to develop strategies to maximize available resources and contain costs. I ask for your help in identifying and reducing discretionary expenditures. With your assistance, I am confident UTSA will be well prepared to weather these challenging economic times.

As one of the state's fastest growing institutions of higher learning, we will continue our commitment to expanding access to excellence in higher education and maintaining our status as good stewards of public resources.